Scooter with rotatable platform

ABSTRACT

A scooter having a riding platform rotationally engaged to a front steering assembly is provided which significantly increases the ability of riders to perform tricks. The riding platform is rotationally engaged to the steering column which itself may be employed as a riding platform. An optional mechanism may be employed whereby the riding platform is rotated by a spin of the steering column with the handlebars. The scooter may also be equipped with skids to allow employment in the snow or on ice.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/521,689 filed on Jul. 11, 2012, which is a 371 National Stage entryof International Application No. PCT/US11/20897 filed on Jan. 11, 2011,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/293,774filed on Jan. 11, 2010. The contents of all related applications areincorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to scooters. More particularly it relatesto a scooter having a rotatable platform for performing extrememaneuvers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior Art

Conventionally, a skateboard scooter consists of a board or platformwith front and rear wheels, also with a steering column and handlebarsmounted on the front wheel assembly. The front wheel assembly withsteering column is often made foldable for easy storage and carrying.Many variations and additions have been made to this basic design andare seen widely in prior art.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,270,095 to Chang teaches a foldable skateboard scootermore commonly known as a RAZOR Scooter. This patent is arguably the mostcommonly known style of skateboard configured scooter employing alightweight structure, friction breaks, and adjustable steering columnjust to name a few.

However, one may question the title of a ‘skateboard’ scooter when infact the patent and many other skateboard scooters in prior art cannotmimic many of the maneuvers of an actual skateboard such as the‘kickflip’ which is a maneuver requiring a rotation of the board orplatform wherein the user rotates the platform, about its longitudinalaxis.

As such, there is a continuing and unmet need for a skateboard stylescooter which is configured to allow for rotation of the platform andincludes other components that configure the scooter to be able toattempt to perform the maneuvers commonly achieved on a skateboard aswell as perform never before seen stunts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides a skateboard scootercomprised of a riding platform with front and rear ends, front and rearwheel assemblies, and steering assembly. The rear wheel assembly isengaged to the rear end of the riding platform defining as a whole therear wheel assembly. The steering assembly, including steering bar andwheel, is engaged to the front of the base of the scooter, therebyforming as a whole the front wheel assembly.

In a particularly preferred mode the steering assembly consists of asteering column, with top and bottom end with the bottom end engaged tothe front wheel assembly and the top end slidably engaged to the bottomend for selective height adjustment. The steering assembly also includesa steering bar or handlebars at the top end. In one disclosed mode ofthe device herein, the distal ends of the handle bars have a rotatablyengaged wheel assembly engaged to the center and distal ends of thehandle bars.

This provision of handlebar engaged wheel assemblies provides thepossibility of new and never before seen maneuvers to be performed. Withthe new wheel assemblies engaged on the handlebars as described a usercan now flip the scooter 90 degrees where the front wheel assembly andhandle bar wheel assemblies engaged the ground allowing the user to ridethe steering column as a temporary platform. Maneuvers can be performedby like switching back and forth between conventional riding and ridingthe steering assembly as described, which has never been done before.

The front wheel assembly and rear wheel assembly are rotatably engagedby a means of rotatable engagement between the front end of the ridingplatform and bottom end of the steering assembly. The rear wheelassembly is also rotatably engaged to the riding platform. Thisrotatable engagement provides the user a means to rotate the rear wheelassembly (riding platform and rear wheel) about its longitudinal axismimicking the ‘kickflip’ motion of a skateboard.

Similarly, the rotatable engagement means of the front wheel assemblyand the riding platform also allows the front wheel assembly to rotatefreely about a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the riding platform.This front assembly engagement allows a user to simultaneously rotatethe front wheel assembly (handlebars, steering column, and front wheel)freely in a 360 degree motion, while rotating the rear wheel assembly(riding platform and rear wheel assembly) freely in a 360 degree fashionand any combination therein.

Further, in manner similar to rotating the front wheel assembly aboutits longitudinal axis as just described, the rear wheel assembly as awhole can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the front wheelassembly while the front wheel assembly remains stationary. This motionalong with the ‘kickflip’ motion achieved creates even morepossibilities in extreme maneuvers by allowing the rear wheel assemblyto rotate or ‘whip’ around the axis of the front wheel assembly whilesimultaneously ‘flipping’ about its own longitudinal axis. These motionsmay also be accomplished mechanically. For example, as the front wheeland steering assembly are spun about in a 360 degree motion, amechanical means may be actuated and performs the platform rotationsimultaneously as described.

For stopping the device, the device employs the provision of a frictionbrake located at the rear of the riding platform. The user simply stepson an extended partition that actuates a friction braking mechanismagainst the rear wheel. Of course other means for breaking as wouldoccur to those skilled in the art are anticipated and are consideredincluded herein.

In another particularly preferred mode of the device, the front and rearwheel assemblies may instead be in the form of a ski, sled, or similarhydroplaning platform rather than employing wheels. This mode, replacinga rotating riding component with a sliding component, allows the deviceto be ridden in the snow or when towed behind a water vessel.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least onepreferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangement of the components inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventionherein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practicedand carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilledin the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying outthe several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstruction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

It is an object of this invention to provide a scooter with a rotatingriding platform.

It is another object of the invention to provide a skateboard style kickscooter that allows for a myriad of new and never before seen maneuvers.

It is still an object of the current invention to provide a means tomimic skateboard style stunts through the provision of a rotatableriding platform.

A further object of the invention is the provision of handlebar mountedwheel assemblies providing a means to ride the steering column as ariding platform.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a means tomechanically flip the riding platform as the handlebars aresimultaneously spun around in a 360 degree manner.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of skis or similarhydroplaning sled at the wheel assemblies for use in snow or water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of thedevice.

FIG. 2 is a side detailed view of the rotational engagement means of theriding platform to the front wheel assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of the topend of the steering assembly detailing two wheel assemblies engaged onthe distal ends of the handlebars.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another particularly preferred modeof the front wheel assembly depicting two wheels engaged by a commonaxle with the bottom end of the steering assembly extending down to it.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of therear wheel assembly depicting two wheels engaged by a common axleextending from the rear end of the riding platform.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the device showing the clearance given on thetiding platform by the rear wheel assembly allowing a user to ride onwith surface of the riding platform.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the device fromline 7-7 from FIG. 1 depicting the optional breaking mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another particularly preferred mode ofthe device with skis or similar hydroplaning sleds on the front and rearwheel assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-8, wherein similar components areidentified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 aperspective view of the preferred embodiment of the device 10. As shown,the device 10 generally includes a rear wheel assembly 12 and frontwheel assembly 18 both being respectively engaged to the platform 16with the front wheel assembly 18 being engaged to the platform by arotational engagement means 30. All components of the device aregenerally light weight material such as aluminum or alloy composing theformer so as to minimize the weight and maximize potential performancefor tricks and riding.

The rear wheel assembly 12 includes an in-line rear wheel 14 and ariding platform 16. The front wheel assembly 18 includes an in-linefront wheel 20, bottom end of the steering column 22, and top end of thesteering column 24. The top end 24 is defined by the handlebars 26 andoptionally centrally engaged additional wheel 28 for the device 10 withthe most trick and riding ability. The additional wheel 28 allows a userriding the device in a as-used position, to flip the device 10 to placethe riding platform 16 perpendicular to the riding surface, and to ridethe steering column 22, 24 as temporary riding platform as desired forperforming stunts and extreme maneuvers never before seen inconventional skateboard scooters. A small platform similar to the ridingplatform 16 may be engaged to the steering column 22 for easier balancethereon. Furthermore, the bottom end of the steering column 22 oppositethe top end 24 are slidably engaged to each other as a telescopic meansto selectively position the handlebars 26 at the desired height.

In use, the rotational engagement means 30 such as conventional bearingriding inside of a race, or an axle engaged to a rotating center of abearing, permits the rear wheel assembly 12 to rotate about its'longitudinal axis A-A and concurrently allows the front wheel assembly18 to rotate about the perpendicular axis B-B. A plurality of stunts andextreme maneuvers by a rider standing on the device 10 in an as-usedposition, can be performed given the multitude of combinations ofrotation of the various components made possible by the device 10.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed side profile view of one rotational engagementmeans 30 of the riding platform 16. Any conventional means forrotational engagement as would occur to those skilled in the art ishowever anticipated. A shaft 32 extending from the front end of theriding platform 16 engages coaxially with the collar 34 of therotational engagement means 30.

Employed on the distal front end of the shaft 32 is an optional platformrotating mechanism 23. If provided, the rotating mechanism 23 provides ameans to rotate the riding platform 16 by rotating the front wheel 20using the handlebars thereby allowing user to rotate the front wheel andas the front wheel 20 rotates, it passes by and impacts the mechanism 23thereby causing it to deflect and rotate. The rotation of the mechanism23 in turn causes the shaft 32 to rotate which is engaged to the ridingplatform 16 which will rotate as well. Thus the rotating mechanism 23provides the user a means to rotate the riding platform 16 by rotatingthe handlebars. Continuous rotations of the riding platform 16 areaccomplished by continuous rotation of the front wheel assembly 18 byeither rotating the steering column 22 about line BB or ‘whipping’ therear wheel assembly 12 as described previously.

The collar 34 may also employ ball bearings (not shown) to ensure smoothrotation of the shaft 32 therein. Gusset 36 provides the final means toengage the rear and front assemblies. Also shown are clearance holes 38through both collar 34 and shaft 32 that, when desired, may receive alocking pin (not shown) sized for a slidable engagement therein to lockthe rear wheel assembly 12 in a rigid manner that does not permitrotation about axis AA for when conventional riding is desired.

Seen in FIG. 3 is a particularly preferred mode of the top end 40 of thefront wheel assembly 18. This mode shows wheels 44 rotationally engagedat both distal ends of the handlebars 42. This mode may be particularlydesirable for greater stability when a user is stunt riding the device10 as described earlier with the steering column 22 providing atemporary riding platform for the user's feet while the platform 16 isperpendicular to the ground.

It must be noted however that this mode of the device 10 in FIG. 3, mayalso be used in combination with the wheel 28 depicted in the preferredembodiment of the top end 24 shown in FIG. 1, where instead three wheels28 and 44, will be engaged to the handlebar assembly. A single wheel 28as described in FIG. 1 could be employed for this maneuver of riding onthe steering column 22 as a platform, but is only preferred due tosimplicity while all embodiment described herein achieve the same goalof allowing a user to employ the steering column 22 as a temporaryplatform for their feet while the riding platform 16 is not parallelwith the ground or riding surface.

FIG. 4 shows another particularly preferred mode of the front wheelassembly where now two wheels 50 are engaged by a common axle 52. Asbefore, the bottom end of the steering column 22 extends downward to thefront wheel assembly of wheels 50 rotationally engaged to the axle 52.

Similarly, FIG. 5 shows another particularly preferred mode of thedevice 10, having a rear wheel assembly 12 in which again two wheels 60are engaged by a common axle 62 as opposed to a single inline wheel 14as described previously in FIG. 1. This mode of the device 10 if soconfigured, aids in providing added stability and support for the riderwhen in use while still permitting the same maneuvers and stunts to beperformed as previously described. It must be noted however that anycombination of single in-line wheel and two wheel configuration may beemployed on the device but have been shown separately merely for simplydescriptive purposes. For example, the rear wheel assembly may employ atwo wheel configuration while the front wheel assembly employs a singlein-line wheel or vis versa.

FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the device showing the relative clearancegiven on both the top and bottom surface of the riding platform 16 bythe diameter of a rear wheel 14. This aspect is of great importance tothe scope of employment of the device 10 as it allows a user to rideeither side of the riding platform 16 and aids in the performance ofextreme stunt maneuvers. Such clearance must also be considered for thetwo wheel configuration described in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of the rear wheel assembly 12 of thedevice as seen through line 7-7 from FIG. 1. The brake actuating portion15 remains protruding from above the top surface of the riding platform16. As a user applies pressure in direction “C” the direction and forceis transferred to friction mechanism 17 that frictionally engages withthe rear wheel 14 along direction “D”. This provides a user with a meansto brake the device 10 when going too fast or for tricks.

A further particularly preferred mode of the device can be seen in FIG.8. In this mode the front and rear wheels on the support assemblies arereplaced by ski-like skids 70, or other similar hydroplaning or slidingplatforms. This mode allows the device 10, along with many of theextreme performance maneuvers, to be performed on snow, ice, or water aswhen accompanied by a towing water vessel.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of theinvention have been shown and described herein, with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, variouschanges and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure andit will be apparent that in some instances, some features of theinvention may be employed without a corresponding use of other featureswithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. Itshould also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, andvariations may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all suchmodifications and variations and substitutions are included within thescope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A scooter assembly comprising: a ridingplatform having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axisthat runs from the first end to the second end; a front wheel assemblyhaving at least one wheel; a rear wheel assembly having at least onewheel; and a steering column; wherein the front wheel assembly isattached to the steering column; wherein the front wheel assembly isattached to the first end of the riding platform in a manner that allowsfor 360 degrees of rotation of the riding platform about thelongitudinal axis when riding the scooter assembly; and wherein the rearwheel assembly is attached to the second end of the riding platform. 2.The scooter of claim 1, wherein the rear wheel assembly has at least twowheels.
 3. The scooter of claim 1, wherein the front wheel assembly hasat least two wheels.
 4. The scooter of claim 1, further comprising abrake.
 5. The scooter of claim 4, wherein the brake is attached toengage with the at least one wheel of the real wheel assembly.
 6. Thescooter of claim 1, further comprising a locking pin; wherein thelocking pin stops rotation of the riding platform about the longitudinalaxis.
 7. A scooter assembly comprising: a riding platform having a firstend and a second end and a longitudinal axis that runs from the firstend to the second end; a front skid assembly having at least oneski-like skid; a rear skid assembly having at least one ski-like skid;and a steering column; wherein the front skid assembly is attached tothe steering column; wherein the front skid assembly is attached to thefirst end of the riding platform in a manner that allows for 360 degreesof rotation of the riding platform about the longitudinal axis whenriding the scooter assembly; and wherein the rear skid assembly isattached to the second end of the riding platform.
 8. The scooter ofclaim 7, further comprising a brake.
 9. The scooter of claim 7, furthercomprising a locking pin; wherein the locking pin stops rotation of theriding platform about the longitudinal axis.
 10. The scooter of claim 7,wherein the rear skid assembly has at least two ski-like skids.
 11. Thescooter of claim 7, wherein the front skid assembly has at least twoski-like skids.
 12. A method of performing a kickflip on a scootercomprising: riding a scooter assembly comprising: a riding platformhaving a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis that runsfrom the first end to the second end; a front wheel assembly having atleast one wheel; a rear wheel assembly having at least one wheel; and asteering column; wherein the front wheel assembly is attached to thesteering column; wherein the front wheel assembly is attached to thefirst end of the riding platform in a manner that allows for rotation ofthe riding platform about the longitudinal axis; and wherein the rearwheel assembly is attached to the second end of the riding platform; andflipping the riding platform around the longitudinal axis when thescooter is off the ground.
 13. A method of performing a kickflip on ascooter comprising: riding a scooter assembly comprising: a ridingplatform having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axisthat runs from the first end to the second end; a front skid assemblyhaving at least one ski-like skid; a rear skid assembly having at leastone ski-like skid; and a steering column; wherein the front skidassembly is attached to the steering column; wherein the front skidassembly is attached to the first end of the riding platform in a mannerthat allows for rotation of the riding platform about the longitudinalaxis; and wherein the rear skid assembly is attached to the second endof the riding platform; and flipping the riding platform around thelongitudinal axis while the scooter is off the ground.